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Friday, July 21, 2017

U of Mn Silvopasture tour HERE Aug. 5

Although we're behind posting to our Badgersett Icelandics blog, it's not because we aren't "doing sheep". To some extent it's because we now have about 40 sheep, up from 25 when we started writing that blog.

And in year 6 of the sheep, it's been decided that they are permanent now. The benefits are very large, and alternatives (fossil fuel fed machines) far less - EFFECTIVE. The sheep work better.

Which is why we are the last feature of the upcoming U of MN Silvopasture Workshop; Aug. 4 and 5. You can sign up for both days, or one day, I'm pretty sure. Unfortunately - and fortunately at the same time, for us- the scheduled cattle silvopasture tour at Dana Burtness' farm had to cancel. So, the tour will be here for 2 flexible hours (or more) instead of 1 tight one.

Some of this year's lambs; they are a riot to watch. The movie was in April; the lambs are now 3-5 times bigger than here; still frisky. Incidentally, we have a bunch of very interesting color patterns; 2 lambs here with "Panda Face" eye spots; black ears, white face and top of head; white rear legs and black front legs... Anybody else seeing this in their Icelandics?

We'll be showing both the sheep and the horses- they both do very serious work for us just as grazers, not counting other benefits. And there's a ton to show. It has been a learning experience- but since 40 is more than 25 (actually we started with 5) - we're probably doing things mostly right.

We discovered fairly quickly - Icelandic lambs are eating as much grass as an adult sheep - about 3 days after they are born. They go through pasture, and have to be moved more often. We are, in fact, looking for a couple of people who would like to live here at Badgersett, and make their living from the sheep. And horses. And pastured poultry, perhaps. There is a good living to be made; but it's a full time job.

Come and see! We'll give you all the information from 6 years of rotational and mob grazing - nut silvopasture. Summer. Winter. Mistakes and all.